Flower Child (Peter Parker, MCU)

Got it Bad

Just a Cloud Away — Pharrell Williams

Peter realized he was very good at making lists. He was also skilled in dodging phone calls from the head of secret government organizations, but that wasn't important. What was important, was that by the end of his last week of junior year, Peter Parker had a plan in motion.

His list was something Aunt May had started for him, telling him that he'd likely need an international charging converter. He'd have to pick one up before he left for Europe, and his aunt asked if there was anything else he might need. The list took on a life of its own from there, and became slightly more unconventional the more he added things to it.

It really wasn't anything particularly out of the ordinary, really. Honestly the most stressful thing on his list consisted of waiting in line for his passport at the post office. His aunt patiently reminded him that he did also have "Finally take down the Manfredi crime family" listed just underneath, but that was nothing compared to potentially going postal while waiting to pick something up.

It was fine. Thursday afternoon, which usually consisted of a long and tiring school schedule, actually breezed by. This was, of course, due to the fact that it was the last day of school. Teachers were wrapping up the year by putting on movies or handing out summer reading lists. Soon enough, Peter found himself in one of his last classes with nothing to do. He was practically vibrating with nervous energy when he sat down next to Ned. Seeing Lila talking with MJ a few desks down, he kept his voice low to not be overheard.

"I have a plan," Peter said, his body humming with excitement. "Okay, first, I'm gonna sit next to Lila on the flight." Ned merely hummed along in response. "Second, I'm gonna buy a dual-headphone adapter, and watch movies with her the whole time."

Ned nodded, "Okay."

"Three: When we got to Venice — Venice is super famous for making stuff out of glass, right — so, I'm gonna buy her a bracelet with some flowers on it. I'm thinking lemons because she's been telling me about her lemon tree in the greenhouse that's basically her plant baby."

"It is her citrus child," Ned agreed.

"Right! Four: When we go to Paris, I'm gonna take her to the top of the Eiffel Tower, give her the bracelet, and then five — I'm gonna tell her how I feel." Peter stole a glance at Lila before looking back at Ned. "And then six — hopefully she tells me she feels the same way."

The moment Peter was able to hang out alone with just Ned after the Hobgoblin had kidnapped Lila, he had told Ned about his feelings for Lila. Ned, after a brief moment where he smugly smirked at his friend, told him he was really happy for Peter, and relieved that he'd finally come around to his own feelings. He had no problem with Peter admitting his feelings for Lila, until he'd initially heard that Peter wanted to do it on their trip to Europe.

"Don't forget step seven," Ned reminded him, and Peter immediately whipped out a pen to take notes. "Don't do any of that."

Peter gave a disbelieving look. "Why?"

Ned waved his hand as if the answer was obvious. "Because we're gonna be bachelors in Europe, Peter!"

"Ned—"

"Look," Ned argued, "I may not know much, but I do know this: Europeans love Americans."

A skeptical expression settled on Peter's face. "Really?"

"And more than half of them are women!"

"Okay, sure," Peter admitted, but not before looking back up at Lila. He turned back to Ned. "But, I really like Lila, man, okay? She's awesome, she's so nice it's kind of intimidating, and sometimes I catch her looking at me and I feel like I stood up way too — she's coming over. Just don't say anything," Peter hissed the last part as Lila and MJ both walked over to the pair of them. Peter straightened up immediately and opened his mouth, but Michelle beat him to it.